Afraid of What, Sanshui?

The moment Xu Sanshi's gaze met Yan Shaozhe's, his heart hammered so hard it nearly burst through his chest.

A Titled Douluo!

Even though Yan Shaozhe had not released the slightest trace of Soul Power or pressure, and was merely standing there...

Yet the sheer gulf between their levels of existence was enough to make Xu Sanshi's soul tremble.

His legs weakened beyond his control, and his kneecaps felt as though they were crumbling inch by inch beneath that unseen gaze.

Just then, a hand settled lightly on his shoulder.

"Don't be scared, young master Xu."

"He's only a little Titled Douluo."

Pot Bro's voice carried a teasing chill.

Then came the crisp sound of footsteps: low-heeled leather shoes striking the flagstones, each step landing on Xu Sanshi's taut nerves.

Ma Xiaotao sauntered over, her fiery red hair lifting gently in the breeze.

She bent slightly and raised her slender fingers. A sharp nail traced slowly across Xu Sanshi's vulnerable throat, leaving a startling red line.

A drop of blood gathered at the end of the mark, then fell.

"So this is Xu Sanshi, the one rumored to have quite a bit of family wealth in Heaven Dou City?"

Ma Xiaotao's red lips parted, dangerous amusement dancing in her eyes. "I'm terribly curious. Why don't you take me to see your little treasure vault?"

Xu Sanshi swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty.

As the others closed in around him, fear swallowed him like a rising tide.

Still, he tried to clutch at one last straw and shouted with more bluster than courage:

"I'm from the Xuanming Sect! You dare mess with me? You even dare threaten me? Aren't you afraid the Xuanming Sect will retaliate?!"

He whipped his head toward Yan Shaozhe, his eyes full of pleading and a